System and method for bronchial dilation

Abstract

A method of reducing bronchial constriction in a subject includes delivering energy to create one or more lesions on a main bronchus so as to transect pulmonary nerves sufficiently to reduce bronchial constriction in a lung of the patient distal to the main bronchus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for delivering a therapy for treatment of inflammation, hypertrophy, or constriction of smooth muscles lining the bronchi of an airway of a subject, or excessive mucus production of the subject, the system comprising:
 at least one electrode configured to deliver energy to tissue positioned along a bronchus or trachea of the subject; and 
 a generator configured to cause the at least one electrode to deliver the energy to the tissue to block, inhibit, or reduce the ability of the subject to produce mucus. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to detect at least one condition of the airway. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more sensors are mucus sensors. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more mucus sensors are configured to detect mucus or other matter in the lungs or bronchi, to detect a building or accumulation of mucus or other matter in the lungs or bronchi, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more mucus sensors comprises an impedance sensor. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is an implantable electrode configured to be positioned proximate nerve tissue located along the airway in the subject. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is an implantable signal generator configured to generate a cough production inhibiting blocking signal to be delivered to at least a portion of nerve tissue positioned along the bronchus or trachea of the subject, wherein the cough production inhibiting blocking signal is configured to inhibit at least one of nerve traffic to or from a lung of the subject to relieve bronchial smooth muscle contraction and to inhibit cough. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is an implantable signal generator configured to generate a cough stimulating signal to be delivered to at least a portion of nerve tissue positioned along the bronchus or trachea of the subject, wherein the cough stimulating signal is configured to stimulate at least one of nerve traffic to or from a lung of the subject to trigger bronchial smooth muscle contraction and to stimulate cough. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is configured to be placed in or around the bronchus. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor, wherein the processor, the generator, and the at least one electrode are operable to cause delivery of a sufficient amount of energy to the tissue to cause cessation of mucus production and to stop delivery of energy to the tissue based on detection of the cessation of mucus production. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor, wherein the processor, the generator, and the at least one electrode are operable to cause delivery of a sufficient amount of energy to the tissue to cause stimulation of cough and to stop delivery of energy to the tissue based on detection of mucus clearance. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein generator is configured to generate a blocking signal to be delivered to the at least one electrode to cause the at least one electrode to deliver the energy to the tissue, wherein the blocking signal is configured to inhibit nerve traffic to a lung of the subject. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to deliver energy to the tissue based on a circadian or other rhythm of the subject. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the circadian or other rhythm of the subject is measured using a sleep sensor, time of day, clock, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system is configured to provide for one or more periods of no therapy or to abstain from providing therapy to one side of the bronchi while the other side receives therapy. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to block or inhibit neural traffic on at least a portion of the bronchi to inhibit or reduce mucus production by blocking efferent signals configured to trigger mucus production. 
     
     
       17. A system for inhibiting or reducing mucus production by a subject, the system comprising:
 at least one electrode configured to deliver energy to tissue on at least a portion of the bronchi of the subject; and 
 a generator configured to cause the at least one electrode to deliver the energy to the tissue on at least a portion of the bronchi to inhibit or reduce mucus production. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein mucus production is reduced or inhibited by blocking efferent signals configured to trigger mucus production.